Canal Rescue Hero To Get Royal Bravery Award
A PASSER-BY who saved a mans life by dragging him out of the Basingstoke Canal is to receive an award for his bravery.
Woking resident Roger Thompson, 61, was walking along the canal path behind the Century Court flats in Victoria Way on October 28, 2009 when he saw a man floating face down in the water and jumped in to rescue him.
Now Mr Thompson is to be honoured with a national lifesaving award by royal approval.
Although firefighters had already been called to the incident, quick-thinking Mr Thompson realised there was not a minute to lose and dived into the canal to help out.
In recognition of his selfless deed, Mr Thompson, a retired computer software designer, has been awarded a Royal Humane Society Testimonial on Vellum, personally approved and signed by the societys president, Princess Alexandra.
He also won the personal praise of the societys secretary, Dick Wilkinson, as the award was confirmed at the groups headquarters in London.
Mr Wilkinson said: Put bluntly, Mr Thompson was the right person in the right place at the right time.
He was walking along the Basingstoke Canal towpath when he came across three younger men who were looking at something in the canal.
Looking down, Mr Thompson saw a man, face down in the water.
He immediately stripped to his underwear and entered the water.
He swam to the man and pulled him back to the side where he kept him afloat for a further 15 minutes until the emergency services arrived.
At the time of the incident, police and firefighters involved with the rescue were quick to praise Mr Thompson for his actions.
Detective Sergeant Stewart Leahy of Surrey Police said: Without the brave actions of Mr Thompson, there could have been a very different ending to this incident.
It is to his credit that he took matters into his own hands and saved this victim and we cannot praise his efforts highly enough.
Police later confirmed that the person rescued from the canal, a man in his mid-30s, was released from hospital without injury.
Mr Wilkinson added: Mr Thompson was unable to get out of the bitterly cold water as to do so would have meant releasing the casualty, who was unable to help himself.
Remarkably, the man survived, thanks to Mr Thompsons selfless bravery.
Mr Thompson is of slight build, and rescued a much heavier man.
He also risked his own health entering the cold canal in only his underwear.
Unlike other younger men, Mr Thompson gave little thought to his own safety. He richly deserves this award.
No date has been set for the official presentation of the award, which has been made on the recommendation of Surrey Fire and Rescue Service.
by: kenclarke
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